The Government of Sierra Leone has concluded the country’s first-ever National Labour Conference (NLC), hosted by the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Labour Congress and the Sierra Leone Employers’ Federation.

Held at the Miatta Conference Centre in Freetown from April 29 to May 1, 2025, the three-day event brought together government officials, labour unions, employers, development partners, and international experts to discuss critical issues affecting Sierra Leone’s labour market and workforce development.

In his keynote address on May 1, the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Rtd. Brig. Julius Maada Bio, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating decent jobs, expanding social security to the informal sector, and aligning labour reforms with national development goals. “May 1 is more than just a holiday—it is a reflection of our collective recognition of the sweat, sacrifice, and silent heroism of our workers,” he said.

The President emphasized that his government is committed to reimagining the future of work in Sierra Leone, focusing on education, healthcare, and sustainable livelihoods, with a strong focus on integrating the informal sector into the formal economy. He also highlighted the need for digital transformation and workforce productivity, especially for the youth, reiterated that investment in innovation and skills development is crucial to achieving national development goals.

Vice President, Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh launched the conference on April 30, describing it as a milestone in Sierra Leone’s social dialogue and labour transformation. He called for permanent platforms for tripartite consultations and emphasized the importance of ongoing reforms like the Employment Act.

“May Day should not only celebrate our achievements but also serve as a reminder of our progress, such as the Employment Act and other key policies, legislations, and initiatives that are shaping and improving the labour space in Sierra Leone,” he noted.

A key highlight of the conference was the presentation of the Sierra Leone Labour Market Information System (SL-LMIS)—a web-based job tracking platform developed to monitor progress toward the government’s agenda of creating 500,000 jobs by 2028. Unveiled by the Ministry’s ICT Manager and SL-LMIS Project Lead, Mr Abu Bakarr Tamu, the system currently hosts real-time data on over 145,000 jobs created by the government and tracked through institutions such as NASSIT, NaCSA, and other social protection programs.

The SL-LMIS is designed to serve employers, job seekers, researchers, and policymakers alike. Employers can use the platform to post vacancies, manage applications, and access labour market insights, while job seekers can register, build CVs, and apply for jobs online. As a one-stop web platform, the SL-LMIS promotes transparency, coordination, and data-driven decision-making in the labour sector. The dashboard, a module of the Ministry’s job tracker, provides insights into demographics, income levels, sectoral trends, work permit issuance, and social protection coverage.

It can be accessed at https://viz.moelss.gov.sl/.

The Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Hon. Mohamed Rahman Swaray, commended the ministry’s social partners and development allies for their active participation and commitment to labour reforms in the country. He described the conference as a turning point: “Too many Sierra Leoneans still work without access to fair wages or social protection, but we are not on the sidelines; we are acting.”

The Minister reiterated the government’s dedication to closing the decent work deficit and aligning the sector with global trends, including artificial intelligence and automation.

He called for increased collaboration among state and non-state actors, urging all stakeholders to take ownership of reforms and innovations discussed during the conference. He entreated unions, employees, and employers to “remain united in our resolve to build a resilient, innovative and inclusive workforce as we keep working towards a Sierra Leone where work is dignified, wages are fair, rights are protected, and opportunities are shared.”

The three-day conference featured expert-led presentations and panel discussions on various labour-related issues. Key topics included:

• AI and the Workforce: Challenges and Opportunities for Sierra Leone
• Aligning Education and Training with Labour Market Demands
• Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Volunteerism: Building Pathways for Self-Employment and Sustainable Economic Growth
• Collaborative Efforts for Job Creation: The Role of Government, Private Sector, Training Institutions, etc.

The conference concluded on a high note with an awards ceremony recognizing institutions and individuals for excellence in areas such as labour law compliance, support for capacity building, promotion of decent work, technology and innovation, and donor funding. The ceremony underscored the importance of collaboration in driving sustainable reforms and advancing the dignity of work.

Credit – Information Unit

Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security

Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Friday, May 7th, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)